The Paris school 'Make Up For Ever Academy,' organized a contest that saw competitors re-imagine the work of famous contemporary Japanese artist, Takashi Murakami. Given the artist's imposition for bold colors and his love of pop culture icons, his psychedelic style led to an array of stunning make-up renditions.
Models stand out in shocking contrast against a pure black background, each made to be immensely distinct by each artist. This was especially taken to the advantage of by Margaux Lievin, who paints part of the model's jaw black to create a human skull surrounded by daisy petals.
Alena Strohmeyer uses endless color to show a smiling flower in the center of the forehead and then blending the side to create a collage of lost flowers. Julia Roux pays tribute to Takashi Murakami by coating the model in a cracked white paint and coating the face in black specked with sparkles, creating a type of cosmos undead.
Iconic Japanese Body Art
Students Used Takashi Murakami's Style for Body Art Inspiration
Trend Themes
1. Japanese-influenced Body Art - The trend of creating makeup looks and body art inspired by Japanese pop culture icons can be leveraged by makeup and cosmetic brands to attract new customers and expand their product lines.
2. Bold Color Usage in Makeup - The trend of using bold and vibrant colors in makeup and body art can be utilized by beauty brands to create unique and eye-catching products that cater to a bolder consumer demographic.
3. Pop Art Inspiration in Beauty - The trend of incorporating pop art inspiration, such as Takashi Murakami's work, into makeup and body art can be leveraged by brands to create limited edition or novelty collections that appeal to both art enthusiasts and beauty fans.
Industry Implications
1. Cosmetics - Cosmetic brands can utilize the trend of Japanese-influenced body art, bold color usage, and pop art inspiration to expand their product lines and engage with new consumer demographics.
2. Fashion - Fashion brands can collaborate with cosmetic brands and makeup artists to integrate bold and artistic makeup looks into their runway shows and campaigns to create a cohesive visual experience.
3. Art - Art galleries and museums can feature exhibits that showcase the intersection of fine art and beauty, highlighting the work of artists like Takashi Murakami and the makeup artists who draw inspiration from their work.